Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Scope of work:
must include:
interpretation of plans and specifications
principles and properties of hydronic systems, including:
barriers to heat transfer
conduction
convection
heat transfer
principles of hydronic circuits
principles of pressure and energy related to hydronic systems
properties of water steam and gases used for hydronic systems
radiation
hydronic applications, which may include:
chiller circuits for air conditioning and refrigeration applications
concrete floor heating circuits
heat removal applications
manufacturing and industrial applications
room heating circuits for residential, commercial and industrial heating applications
timber floor heating circuits
sizing and documenting layout of hydronic heating and cooling systems for residential, commercial or industrial applications for either new projects or an existing structure being renovated, extended, restored or maintained.

Design requirements may include:
architectural plans
building specifications
interpretation and application of mechanical services drawings and symbols
fire rating of penetrations
owner requirements
pipework identification
specialist hydronic applications.

Cost-benefit analysis:
compares the range of suitable materials and system choices available to enable cost-effective choices to be made without compromising integrity of project
may include:
design styles
energy costs
expected design life
labour costs
material costs
safety factors
speed of installation
suitable materials
system choices.

Statutory and regulatory requirements and relevant Australian standards may include:
Acts, regulations and commonwealth, state or territory, and local government requirements
industry standards
National Construction Code
other relevant Australian standards.

Manufacturer requirements include:
sizing tables
specifications
recommended specific fixings for pipework
technical and trade manuals.

Desktop study may include collection and interpretation of data for design purposes in:
architectural and building plans
developer plans
manufacturer data
documents, which may include:
applications
brochures
forms
policies
other reports as available.

Performance requirements must include:
hydronic heating and cooling system requirements, including temperature and safety requirements, established using relevant Australian standards, codes and manufacturer information.

Layout of pipework systems:
must include:
flow, velocity, pressure and discharge requirements established using relevant Australian standards, codes and local government authority requirements
location of pipework (fire rating of enclosure)
compliance with hydronic principles
should not unduly affect building integrity and aesthetic appeal
should have principles of economy, serviceability, durability and fit for use applied.

Fittings and valves may include:
fittings:
bends
elbows
tees
unions
couplings
strainers
valves:
excess pressure
flow and isolating
pressure limiting
pressure reduction.

Pipe size requirement calculations must include:
energy
flow and velocity
pressure
sizing
temperature
volume and storage.

System components and circuits:
boilers may include:
advantages and disadvantages of boiler types
capacity and size
coal
electric
energy sources
fire tube
gas
heat exchanger
methods of reducing heat losses
oil
packaged
pressure controls and components
solid fuel
valves
water tube
factors to be considered when selecting a boiler hydronic circuit must include:
circulating pump appliances
flow and return pipework
pipework grades
valves and fittings
cooling towers must include:
bacteriological safety
collection
construction
disinfection
fans
maintenance
size
sprays
chillers and refrigerant plant must include:
engineered systems
packaged plants
proprietary commercial and industrial equipment and assemblies
hydronic appliances must include:
calorifiers
components
concrete construction
electronic controls
heat exchangers
methods of temperature and pressure control
radiators
timber floor heating systems
types
water heaters.

Pump and compressor systems must include:
chilled water pumps
circulating pumps
refrigeration compressors
other applications as required.

Insulation may include:
felt
fibreglass
insulation protection, including:
plastic
sheet metal
rock wool.

Pipe supports may include:
anchors
bracket spacing
corrosion protection
hanging brackets
manufacturer-recommended specific fixings
material requirements
provision for expansion
saddles.

Materials may include:
copper (Cu)
steel
other approved materials.

Jointing methods may include:
brazing
mechanical joints
threading
other approved jointing methods.

Installation requirements may include:
pipe protection, which may include:
cover
corrosion
impact
fire rating
level of workmanship
manufacturer-recommended specific fixings
pipe support
provision for expansion
serviceability and access.

Sustainability principles and concepts:
cover the current and future social, economic and environmental use of resources
may include:
efficient use of material
efficient energy use/capital outlay comparison
water efficiency
reuse of water, such as rainwater, greywater and recycled non-drinking water
consideration of the Green Building Council of Australia rating scheme
selecting appropriate components to ensure minimal environmental impact.

Plans:
may include:
axonometrics
cross-sections
details
elevations
isometrics
sections
schematics, which may be produced using:
computer generation
drawing equipment.

Specification may include:
bedding
support
flow requirements
jointing
manufacturer requirements
materials
residual pressures
safety (WHS)
specialised components
testing
valve selection
water treatment
workmanship.

Testing may include:
defect inspection
flow testing
inspection checklist
leak testing
pressure testing
quality assurance (QA) audit.

Commissioning schedule must include:
system certification
flue balancing
flow test
leak check
pressure test
system purge
system defects
system functions as per design
valve operation
checking fit for purpose
removing contaminants.

Operation and maintenance manual may include:
as installed drawings
certification documentation
check for blockages
leak detection
maintenance schedules
manufacturer brochures and technical information
regular inspection
regular maintenance requirements.
results of commissioning test
valve function.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
This unit of competency could be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment providing that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate plumbing and services workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to as a minimum, provide evidence of the ability to:
design, size and document the layout details for a hydronic heating and cooling system, including a specification for a high-rise mixed development building to a minimum of 29 floors, inclusive of a basement to include fixtures on each floor level (fixtures are included in the basement), including:
applying sustainability principles and concepts throughout the design to achieve a star rating under the Green Council of Australia rating scheme
evaluating and documenting design parameters, including client, regulatory, manufacturer and relevant Australian standard and code requirements for a range of hydronic heating and cooling systems
producing an appropriate layout for hydronic heating and cooling systems, planned according to manufacturer and regulatory requirements
calculating pipe sizes according to regulations and manufacturer requirements
designing hydronic circuits
designing and sizing hydronic systems using calculations and appropriate computer software
preparing plans and specifications for a range of hydronic heating and cooling systems
preparing testing and commissioning schedules
producing operation and maintenance manuals
communicating with others to ensure safe and effective workplace operations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.
Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.
Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards’ requirements.
Resource implications for assessment include:
an induction procedure and requirement
realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the minimum task requirements
relevant specifications and work instructions
tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices
support materials appropriate to activity
workplace instructions relating to safe working practices and addressing hazards and emergencies
material safety data sheets
research resources, including industry-related systems information.
Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment
Assessment methods must:
satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package
include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application
reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles
confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.
Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:
competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace
where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge
all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.
Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.
Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.